Tinian delegation moves to restore ferry service
Tinian lawmakers will try to help Tinian Shipping & Transportation resolve its legal problems that have forced the company to halt its ferry service between the island municipality and Saipan, according to Sen. Joaquin Adriano.
“The delegation is trying to address that and come up with some kind of assistance to perhaps help the Tinian Shipping, but the solution to that has yet to be discussed,” he said yesterday.
Adriano, chair of the Tinian legislative delegation, disclosed that members of the body would meet either tomorrow or Friday with municipal officials as well as company executives.
Two vessels owned by TSTI, a subsidiary of Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, were seized by the federal court over the weekend due to its failure to settle its loan to Debis Financial Services, Inc.
The order has cut ferry service between Saipan and Tinian — a popular mode of transportation to the hotel and casino, leaving only the air service as the only link to the island municipality.
Adriano said that although local carrier Pacific Island Aviation is helping the casino bring in the tourists and guests, the absence of the ferry has affected their arrivals.
“The transportation is still there, but it is a matter of the price which make(s) the difference. Unlike the ferry, air fare is more expensive,” said the senator.
The Tinian delegation has yet to come up with measures to assist the financially-troubled shipping firm, but Adriano said they would explore possibilities on how to speed up resolution of its legal problems.
Anthony Ha, TSTI spokesman, has said they would appeal the court ruling and has asked Tinian residents and the municipal government to rally behind the company to allow them operate the ferry service while awaiting court dates for appeal.
The shipping company had borrowed a total $7.6 million from Debis Financial to finance the acquisition of two vessels — Saipan Express and Tinian Express. But it has been in default in paying arrears amounting to $753,270 every six months due to declining tourist arrivals to the CNMI spawned by the Asian economic troubles.
